Nika Katsia

Apprehended

Tortured

Violence

Prisoner

N. Katsia

Nika
Katsia

«When they said they planted 14 grams of cocaine on me, it's laughable, it's a reversed 41... They mentioned a package. At that moment, I immediately realized they were talking about that kind of planting, which I thought didn't exist in today's world anymore»
—Nika Katsia

Nika Katsia, a Georgian journalist was arrested on December 7, 2024 as he was leaving his home to attend a pro-EU rally in Tbilisi. A journalist by profession, he collaborated with the "For Change" political coalition and was involved in planning their election campaigns.

Friends reported to media that before leaving, Katsia had locked the door of the apartment, where his mother was. Hours later, police arrived at the apartment, possessing a broken key, and demanded entry. They informed Katsia's mother that her son had been arrested by the criminal police, with suspicions arising that he was beaten during the arrest.

Katsia was charged under Article 260, part 6 of the Criminal Code, involving the illegal purchase and possession of large quantities of narcotics. The prosecution, led by prosecutor Nugzar Chitadze, argued for pretrial detention, citing the severity of the alleged crime (up to 20 years or life imprisonment) and the risk of flight or repeat offenses.

«I did not know why I was arrested»
—Nika Katsia

In court, Judge Nino Tarashvili upheld the prosecution's request, denying the defense's appeals for bail or the prosecutor's recusal. Katsia's lawyer, Nino Lominadze, argued that the prosecution's claims were unsubstantiated, highlighting that her client had no prior convictions. She also pointed to potential conflicts of interest, as Prosecutor Chitadze's department oversees investigations into alleged police misconduct, including potential evidence tampering in Katsia's case.

The defense requested 5,000 GEL bail, which the judge denied. According to lawyer Nino Lominadze, they will appeal the city court's decision to the court of appeals within the legally established timeframe.

Several legal concerns emerged. NGOs studying the cases of Kacia and other activists arrested during protests raised serious doubts about the legality of their arrests. They pointed to patterns of:

Reliance on "confidential sources" without verifying their reliability.
Widespread use of "urgent necessity" to justify searches without prior judicial warrants.
Lack of independent witnesses or video recordings during searches.
Formalistic judicial reviews of police actions.
Absence of drug use tests.
Unsubstantiated denials of defense motions.
Inadequate justifications for pretrial detention.

Furthermore, concerns arose regarding Katsia's treatment in detention. Reports surfaced of denied meals, restricted access to communication and exercise, and placement in cells with unsanitary conditions. Allegations were made that Katsia was placed in a waiting area with individuals hostile to the pro-EU protests, causing him to fear for his safety. The penitentiary service denied these claims, stating that Katsia was provided with appropriate care. However, the Public Defender's office confirmed that they had addressed complaints from Katsia regarding violations of his rights in the penitentiary system.

«They were using foul language towards me. At first, I thought a gang was attacking me. Then I found out they took me to the building I know as the 'Krimpoli' (Criminal Police). I started stuttering from nervousness, and they mocked me for that too. I've never stuttered before... 'You're a real bastard, you're a real screwed-up guy,' that's what they called me»
—Nika Katsia